Hello football fans.  Week 21 came to an end to close out the 2025 CFL Season.  It is now official with the seedings, with a Western Division – Crossover to the East Division for the 2025 playoffs.  Congratulations to Saskatchewan, BC, Calgary, Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Montreal for qualifying for the 2025 playoffs and the right to compete for the 112th edition of the Grey Cup to be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Sunday, November 16th, 2025.        

Hello CFL Fans!  Here are your CFL News Hub Power Rankings – the Aftermath of Week 21.

1 – BC Lions

Record:  11 – 7

Previous ranking:  2

What BC did in their last 11 games was truly remarkable, going 8–3 in that stretch.  Not only were they able to close out games, which had been an issue in some weeks prior, but the Lions played consistent football in all three phases week after week to achieve their success.  Moreover, they took down some of the league’s best in that span.      

Next game:  West Semi-Final.  Saturday, November 1st, 2025, vs. Calgary.

2 – Saskatchewan Roughriders

Record: 12 – 6

Previous ranking:  1

Completing the season with the CFL’s best with a 12 – 6 record is quite the accomplishment.  They held the top spot in the West Division for the majority of the season.  On that note, some critics will point out that the last 5 weeks have not been the same for the Green Riders with a 2 – 3 record.  On that note, Saskatchewan is still a force to be reckoned with, as the road to the Grey Cup will go through Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field in the West Division.        

Next game:  West Final.  Saturday, November 8th, 2025.  Saskatchewan will play the winner of the BC / Calgary game.

3 – Hamilton Tiger – Cats  

Record:  11 – 7

Previous ranking:  4

In some cases, it was an up-and-down season for the Tabbies.  On a positive note, they came back to win games and showed a lot of resilience by winning big games.  Their key to success was a powerful running game, great clock management, and a punishing defence, followed by good special teams.  No matter who they play in the East Final, it will be a great playoff atmosphere in Steeltown.      

Next game:  East Final.  Saturday, November 8th, 2025.  Hamilton will play the winner of the Winnipeg / Montreal game.

4 – Montreal Alouettes

Previous ranking:  3

Record:  10 – 8

It was a tale of two different versions of the Alouettes in 2025.  They were not the same team when Davis Alexander was not present.  The Alouettes have one of the stingiest defences in the CFL, led by defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe.  With Alexander back leading the charge, along with a tough defence, Montreal will be a hard team to beat during the playoffs.   

Next game:  East Semi–Final.  Saturday, November 1st, 2025, vs Winnipeg. 

5 – Calgary Stampeders

Record:  11 – 7

Previous ranking:  5

Calgary experienced a stretch of inconsistent football in the last 8 weeks, with fans wondering if they would make the playoffs during a 5-game losing streak at one point.  They were able to turn things around to stop the bleeding, finishing with an 11-7 record.  For a team that missed the playoffs in 2024 with a 5-12-1 season, it was the biggest turnaround this season.   

Next game:  West Semi-Final.  Saturday, November 1st, 2025, in BC. 

6 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Record:  10 – 8  

Previous ranking:  6

For the first time in 4 seasons, Winnipeg will not be in first place in the West Division entering the playoffs.  It was a struggle this season for the Blue Bombers with the highs and lows present week in and week out.  When you are a dominant team, as was the case in the last five seasons for Winnipeg, other teams got better.  It was not always bad in Winnipeg, as shown on a few occasions of the Winnipeg football that we know of.  The question for Winnipeg in the playoffs will be, can they rekindle their magical winning ways?.      

Next game:  East Semi–Final.  Saturday, November 1st, 2025, in Montreal.   

7 – Edmonton Elks

Record:  7 – 11

Previous ranking:  7

It was another non-playoff year for the Elks, as it was too little too late to obtain a playoff seeding in 2025.  With that said, it was not all that bad.  What Edmonton showed in the last 11 weeks of football was a team that turned a corner from the past five seasons (including this one) and was an overall better product.  They have a balanced offence with a powerful running game, along with special teams and an improved defence.  Being in the West Division is always tough.  Moreover, the brighter side will come to fruition in 2026.  The Elks cannot start a season with a 1-4 record or a winless start in the 1st quarter of the games.  It has been a common trend to play catch-up down the stretch in recent seasons.       

Next game:  None.  Failed to qualify for the 2025 playoffs.

8 – Toronto Argonauts

Record:  5 – 13   

Previous ranking:  8

Fans in Toronto were not too pleased with what the Double Blue displayed in 2025.  From a Grey Cup Champion in 2024, missing the playoffs in 2025 was a few steps back.  The 2025 edition of the Argos were outplayed in too many games.  Nick Arbuckle played good as anyone in relief of Chad Kelly, who did not play at any point this season.  The defence was a letdown, allowing the most points in the CFL with 583.  The running game was never the same and not as productive in recent past seasons.  What was once a team that was dominant on special teams was opposite, giving up more than their fair share of yards and touchdowns.        

Next game:  None.  Failed to qualify for the 2025 playoffs.

9 – Ottawa Redblacks

Record:  4 – 14 

Previous ranking:  9

After finally making the playoffs in 2024 for the first time in four seasons, Ottawa regressed badly.  Dru Brown did what he could do in his power.  Unfortunately, he took a lot of punishment with the grind of pro football.  Ottawa had a big problem with its protection, which was weekly.  Coach Bob Dyce had then fallen victim to being fired for the subpar season.  It will be back to the drawing board for Ottawa as they look to retool their roster via free agency and the draft in 2026.    

Next game:  None.  Failed to qualify for the 2025 playoffs.